Without charge
Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9; Psalm 80; Matthew 10:7-15
In the Gospel, Jesus instructed his disciples, saying, “You received without charge; give without charge.” The same applies to us today. We must understand that the spiritual office we occupy is a function of grace. We must learn to serve without charge.
Sadly enough, many men of God charge for spiritual gifts today. The consultation fee has become the norm in many churches. Beloved, wherever charges surface before grace or after grace, it is not a church but a business centre. True disciples give without charge.
In Acts 8:18–20, “When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit. Peter answered, May your money perish with you because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!
Simony means the buying or selling of something spiritual or closely connected with the spiritual. It’s like saying, “See money.” Some of us, once we see money, don’t think well. There are some doors that money cannot open; money is not everything. Peter said to him, Let your money perish with you. Spiritual power is free; don’t pay for it. Is simony not practiced today?
St. Benedict, whose memorial we celebrate today, told the monks about the “restraint of speech.” Apart from the respect this has for silence, it equally saves us from useless talks, gossip, lies, and mislabeling of people. St. Benedict, pray for us.
Let us pray
Father, have your divine way among us church leaders so that we can faithfully lead your flock to the victory that you have promised us through Christ our Lord. Amen
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
